Movie Review: The Flash - Great Set-Up, Bad Punchline

 

Did you know this movie was set for a 2018 release when it was first announced? Well, after years of delays due to development hell, a global pandemic, studio politics, and a lot of criminal behavior from the lead actor, The Flash movie has finally arrived. It's fitting though that it would come out June 2023. It's been ten years since the release of "Man of Steel" and the beginning of the DC Extended Universe (as well as my blog). And the film is also meant to serve as the bridge between universes as the DCEU ends and a new one begins, resetting things much like "Flashpoint" did for the comics. So with such a long wait and its significance to the future of DC in live action, does "The Flash" live up to the hype? Well, there's a lot to like and be excited about for the film, but calling it the beginning of the new DCU may be an exaggeration (especially when you realize Aquaman 2 is technically the last DCEU film).

The best way to describe the film is a more scaled back "Flashpoint", focused more on Barry's story than everything that changed around him. Although compared to the animated adaptation, I feel it has a more emotional payoff. Director Andy Muschietti does a great job on a lot of fronts. The depiction of Barry's powers is unique compared to Grant Gustin's version and when we last saw Ezra's, making concepts like Flash-time and time travel exciting to see. He is also able to homage and respect the past DC works of directors like Tim Burton and Zack Snyder. On the latter, the film seems to make clear references to Snyder's version of Justice League (particularly Flash's big moment from the climax), although there are a few moments that felt Whedon-esque. In any case, Muschietti proved himself here and I look forward to his officially announced Batman film for the new DCU.

Despite what's gone on in real life, it doesn't detract from Ezra Miller's performance (though there are admittedly some parts of the film that haven't aged well with all things considered). While there's still elements of Wally there, the Barry we see here is a little more disciplined compared to "Justice League" and there's more time to get emotionally invested in his character. Miller also does good as the altered timeline's other Barry (insert your own "Archer" reference here), showcasing a version that's had a much easier life, not really taking things seriously until it's too late.

Of course, we all know the biggest reason people are excited for this movie: Michael Keaton's return as Batman. Watching the original modern movie Batman back in action and hearing Danny Elfman's theme was such a rush of nostalgia. Even out of costume, Keaton hasn't missed a beat and it's easy to see this as a continuation from when we last saw him in "Batman Returns". A nice touch is that he's using Bat-tech that has a few improvements from his last movie but still a little outdated by today's standards, which makes sense considering we learn he's been retired for a number of years. There's definitely a "Dark Knight Returns" influence there, as you can tell he's glad to be back in action and ready to give his all, making it as great a send-off as Maguire and Garfield in "No Way Home".
Another Batman riding off into the sunset is Ben Affleck (though why the hell he doesn't get listed in the credits is beyond me). While he doesn't get as much screentime as Keaton, "Batfleck" is able to give us one more high-octane action scene reminiscent of his Batmobile chase and warehouse fight from "Batman v Superman." I wish things could have been different and we could have gotten his solo film, but a big point this film makes is not to obsess about the past or what could have been. I'm still thankful for the time Affleck gave us as the Dark Knight.
And while her time was brief, I thought Sasha Calle was a breakout star as Kara/Supergirl. She made it very believable that under different circumstances, she could have filled Superman's role as a symbol of hope and become a defender of Earth.

For the most part, the film is enjoyable. But then you get to the final moments before the credits roll. I won't go into spoilers, but it feels like everything we watched lead up to a bad joke. It's as confusing as Vulture showing up in "Morbius" or the end of Burton's "Planet of the Apes" with Thade somehow taking over Earth. The implication is that Barry creates the new DCU, but who we see can't possibly play a major role going forward, can he? Even the post-credits scene doesn't help explain or, much like the ones we got with "Fury of the Gods", add anything to the narrative.

If anything, Keaton killing it, a story with an emotional core, and some impressive special effects make "The Flash" worth a watch. Just be prepared for a real mind-freak of an ending.